Students at North Lenoir High School did their part to help combat hunger on Friday when they packed 10,000 meals for “Stop Hunger Now.”

The event was done as a service project for North Lenoir’s chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

Students Hannah Clark and Bailey Humphrey started the organization in the fall of 2012 after attending a leadership conference at N.C. State.

“It inspired us and we wanted to do something,” Humphrey said. “It’s good to have a positive place to have fun and do things with your friends.”

Clark, who serves as chapter president, said the group discusses a variety of issues.

“We talk about texting and driving, drunk driving, underage drinking and any other destructive behaviors,” she said.

Clark said North Lenoir’s chapter of SADD focuses on service and working with Stop Hunger Now has been their biggest project to date. Clark’s first encounter with the agency came when she became involved with The Gate, a community development center in Kinston.

“My church went down there and Mr. Chris (Singleton) was there doing a Stop Hunger Now event,” she said. “Someone donated the money to hold the event and we were asked to volunteer.

When I talked to Chris, he said it only cost $.25 to feed someone. I eat multiple times a day and I know it costs more than $.25 each time so I knew it was feasible to do.”

Clark said the $2,500 needed for the project was raised through donations and small fundraisers selling candy and other items.

SADD faculty advisor Cortina Dixon said she was proud of the student’s efforts.

“It’s a great idea that has come together quickly,” she said.

Singleton, program manager for Stop Hunger Now in Easter North Carolina, said he was excited to be at North Lenoir.

“We don’t do a lot of school events, but the ones we do usually go really well,” he said.

Singleton said most of the meals go to orphanages and schools throughout the world. Meals consist of rice, soy proteins, dehydrated vegetables and a vitamin supplement.

“Hunger doesn’t kill you, but it destroys your immune system and weakens you so you can get sick and that’s how people die,” he said. The reason we donate the food to schools is because parents who can’t feed their children but know they will get fed at school are more likely to send their child to school. They will get a meal and an education and just maybe, they will come back and help their community have a better tomorrow.”

Students who participated said they were glad to be involved in the project.

“If we can help anyone anyway we can inside of outside of our community I’m happy to help,” Garrett Yarbrough said.

For more information on how to help, visit stophungernow.com.

Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @nclark763.